built it daybed ideas?

my next project is for my daughter's room. It will be a built in daybed to
be followed by built in desk/dresser area. I'm in my designing phase and
have been looking for ideas. The headboard will be against one wall, the
back against the adjacent wall. The foot board will be free standing facing
the entrance to the room. The bed will serve as a sitting area for watching
tv etc. Here is the main feature I'm struggling with...I'd like the foot
board to resemble the end of an oversized bench with the cap for the arm
coming off the back, curving down the arm and ending in a loop that returns
to the post of the foot board. It will be painted as her tastes change.
I've thought about laminating sheets of mdf to the thickness and bandsawing
the contour but would rather use maple...any ideas or suggestions?